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Video camera operator education requirements
Updated January 8, 2025
4 min read
There are several educational requirements to become a video camera operator. Video camera operators usually study photography, communication, or journalism. 67% of video camera operators hold a bachelor's degree, and 20% hold an associate degree. We analyzed 348 real video camera operator resumes to see exactly what video camera operator education sections show.
The most common colleges for video camera operators are the Full Sail University and the Full Sail University.
There are also many online video camera operator courses to help get the education required to be a video camera operator.
What education do you need to become a video camera operator?
What degree do you need to be a video camera operator?
- Bachelor's, 67%
- Associate, 20%
- High School Diploma, 7%
- Master's, 3%
- Other Degrees, 3%
What should I major in to become a video camera operator?
- Photography, 23%
- Communication, 20%
- Journalism, 8%
- Digital Media, 8%
- Other Majors, 41%
Most common colleges for video camera operators
| Video camera operator common college | Percentages |
|---|---|
| Full Sail University | 18.75% |
| Washington State University | 6.25% |
| Southern Illinois University Carbondale | 6.25% |
| Asbury University | 6.25% |
| Austin Community College | 6.25% |
Best majors for video camera operators
| Rank | Major | Percentages |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Photography | 23.2% |
| 2 | Communication | 19.9% |
| 3 | Journalism | 8.3% |
| 4 | Digital Media | 8.3% |
| 5 | Audiovisual Communications Technologies | 7.7% |
Best colleges for video camera operators
The best colleges for video camera operators are Northwestern University, Johns Hopkins University, and Harvard University.
A video camera operator with advanced education typically earns a higher salary and has access to better jobs. That's why Zippia looked into the best colleges for video camera operators. We based this list on several metrics: admissions rate, retention rate, mean earnings of graduates, the ratio of working vs. non-working students ten years after admission, the average cost of attendance, and median debt for graduates who become video camera operators.
1. Harvard University
Cambridge, MA • Private
In-state tuition
$50,420
Enrollment
7,582
2. New York University
New York, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$51,828
Enrollment
26,339
3. Texas State University
San Marcos, TX • Private
In-state tuition
$10,280
Enrollment
34,187
4. Columbia University in the City of New York
New York, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$59,430
Enrollment
8,216
5. Northwestern University
Evanston, IL • Private
In-state tuition
$54,568
Enrollment
8,451
6. University of California, Berkeley
Berkeley, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$14,184
Enrollment
30,845
7. Johns Hopkins University
Baltimore, MD • Private
In-state tuition
$53,740
Enrollment
5,567
8. American University
Washington, DC • Private
In-state tuition
$48,459
Enrollment
7,485
9. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Chapel Hill, NC • Private
In-state tuition
$8,987
Enrollment
18,946
10. Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Cambridge, MA • Private
In-state tuition
$51,832
Enrollment
4,550
20 best online courses for video camera operators
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5. Photography - The Nikon D3400 DSLR Camera user course
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9. Digital Photography for Beginners with DSLR cameras
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10. Canon Camera Course: Getting Started with Canon Photography
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11. Photography - Canon EOS 1300D / REBEL T6 Camera User Course
Master your Canon Eos 1300D / Rebel T6 and take great photographs and videos - Ideal for Beginners and Hobbyists...
12. Photography - Canon 2000D/1500D/REBEL T7 Camera User Course
Master your Canon EOS 2000D/1500D/ Rebel T7 and take great photographs and videos - Ideal for Beginners and Hobbyists...
13. Media Training: Have More Confidence on Camera
Feel more confident on camera! Media training for You Tubers, coaches, course creators, journalists, video creators...
14. YouTube Creator Course: Audio & Video Production for Youtube
Make Professional Youtube Videos at home - Video Production, Audio Production, OBS Screencasting, Premiere Pro + Editing...
15. A Masterclass in Photography: Creative Camera Confidence
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16. Learning Final Cut Pro X - Video Editing Mastery
Learning Final Cut Pro X. A detailed course aimed at teaching users how to use FCP X on the Mavericks or Yosemite OS...
17. Beginner Digital Photography, How Do I Use My Camera?
Learn how to use your camera intuitively without memorizing or taking notes...
18. Cinematography Course: Shoot Expert Video on Any Camera
Your Online Guide to Professional Cinematography. Learn to Shoot Stunning Video Like a Professional With Any Camera...
19. Confidence On Camera: Make Amazing Videos, Easily.
Learn how to put YOURSELF in front of the lens to connect with your audience and build a tribe of fans...
20. vMix Master Class - Video Production & Live Streaming
Become a live video production & streaming expert using v Mix software for Windows...
Top 10 most affordable universities for video camera operators
The most affordable schools for video camera operators are Baruch College of the City University of New York, california state university - long beach, and brooklyn college of the city university of new york.
If the best universities for video camera operators are out of your price range, check out these affordable schools. After factoring in in-state tuition and fees, the average cost of attendance, admissions rate, average net price, and mean earnings after six years, we found that these are the most affordable schools for video camera operators.
1. Baruch College of the City University of New York
New York, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$7,262
Cost of attendance
14,046
2. California State University - Long Beach
Long Beach, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$6,798
Cost of attendance
18,306
3. Brooklyn College of the City University of New York
Brooklyn, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$7,240
Cost of attendance
13,991
4. Brigham Young University
Provo, UT • Private
In-state tuition
$5,620
Cost of attendance
18,136
5. Hunter College of the City University of New York
New York, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$7,182
Cost of attendance
13,998
6. University of Florida
Gainesville, FL • Private
In-state tuition
$6,381
Cost of attendance
21,034
7. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Chapel Hill, NC • Private
In-state tuition
$8,987
Cost of attendance
25,527
8. University of Central Florida
Orlando, FL • Private
In-state tuition
$6,368
Cost of attendance
21,034
9. California State University - Northridge
Northridge, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$6,893
Cost of attendance
18,870
10. Queens College of the City University of New York
Queens, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$7,338
Cost of attendance
14,281
Top 10 hardest universities to get into for video camera operators
The hardest universities for video camera operators to get into are Northwestern University, Johns Hopkins University, and Harvard University.
Some great schools for video camera operators are hard to get into, but they also set your career up for greater success. The list below shows the most challenging universities to get into for video camera operators based on an institution's admissions rates, average SAT scores accepted, median ACT scores accepted, and mean earnings of students six years after admission.
1. Northwestern University
Evanston, IL • Private
Admissions rate
8%
SAT average
1,508
2. Johns Hopkins University
Baltimore, MD • Private
Admissions rate
11%
SAT average
1,513
3. Harvard University
Cambridge, MA • Private
Admissions rate
5%
SAT average
1,520
4. Columbia University in the City of New York
New York, NY • Private
Admissions rate
6%
SAT average
1,512
5. New York University
New York, NY • Private
Admissions rate
20%
SAT average
1,419
6. Northeastern University
Boston, MA • Private
Admissions rate
19%
SAT average
1,466
7. Stanford University
Stanford, CA • Private
Admissions rate
4%
SAT average
1,497
8. Boston University
Boston, MA • Private
Admissions rate
22%
SAT average
1,420
9. Emory University
Atlanta, GA • Private
Admissions rate
19%
SAT average
1,449
10. University of Southern California
Los Angeles, CA • Private
Admissions rate
13%
SAT average
1,445
Top 10 easy-to-apply-to universities for video camera operators
The easiest schools for video camera operators to get into are Mount Saint Mary's University, barry university, and grand view university.
Some schools are much easier to get into. If you want to start your career as a video camera operator without much hassle, check out the list of schools where you will be accepted in no time. We compiled admissions rates, average SAT scores, average ACT scores, and average salary of students six years after graduation to uncover which were the easiest schools to get into for video camera operators.
1. Mount Saint Mary's University
Los Angeles, CA • Private
Admissions rate
84%
SAT average
1,031
2. Barry University
Miami, FL • Private
Admissions rate
91%
SAT average
1,006
3. Grand View University
Des Moines, IA • Private
Admissions rate
92%
SAT average
1,060
4. La Roche College
Pittsburgh, PA • Private
Admissions rate
99%
SAT average
1,008
5. University of the Incarnate Word
San Antonio, TX • Private
Admissions rate
88%
SAT average
1,044
6. Notre Dame de Namur University
Belmont, CA • Private
Admissions rate
82%
SAT average
983
7. Kean University
Union, NJ • Private
Admissions rate
86%
SAT average
991
8. Centenary University
Hackettstown, NJ • Private
Admissions rate
67%
SAT average
987
9. Cardinal Stritch University
Milwaukee, WI • Private
Admissions rate
71%
SAT average
1,035
10. San Francisco State University
San Francisco, CA • Private
Admissions rate
72%
SAT average
1,054
Average video camera operator salary by education level
| Video camera operator education level | Video camera operator salary |
|---|---|
| Bachelor's Degree | $47,262 |
| Some College/ Associate Degree | $42,978 |
Video camera operator education FAQs
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Updated January 8, 2025
Updated January 8, 2025